These stories are true and based on real events or converations as best as can be re-created.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Garbage at stops by jeff rose

One of the things that I'd like to see worked on is the general cleanlinessaround thesystem. I mean, we have our "great" new look with our newer busses, we haveupgradeduniforms, strange looking new sign at bus stops... and then we make ourpassengersshovel their way to the bus through drifts of garbage littered around the stops.OK it's anexageration. In any case, we have a contractor who is supposedly in charge ofcleaningbus stops and removing garbage from the garbage cans- but half the stops areabsolutelytrashed and lots of garbage cans seem like they're ALWAYS overflowing withtrash. What'sthe deal? Any solutions?

One question-

On the 72 at Clatsop Street there is a stop right next to the Stanley Avenuebathtubrefinishing place. [I had my clawfoot refinished there a couple of years ago!]It is maybe5-10 blocks before Flavel when you're heading north towards Swan Island. If anyof youare doing the 72 this signup, look at the garbage at the stop. There is abroken light bluelaundry basket full of garbage a few feet from the bus stop sign. I swear ithas been thereever since I started working here. I'll leave it there for a few days, so youcan see what I'mtalking about but I'm going to go clean up that stop soon myself. It ispathetic that someof our bus stops go for years without even being looked at by anyone. It makesus looklike a sloppy organization.

Does anyone know if we're still doing the adopt-a-stop program? There used tobe littleplaques on the garbage cans thanking businesses who maintain the stop. I wouldguessthat that was from a period when we were maintaing the stops "in house" insteadof usinga contractor. Any info?